It’s A Harvest Of Beer And Wine!

At The 20th Annual Hopps of Fun

With the Mackinac Bridge towering in the background, and everything from savory pasties to fudge just around the corner, the annual Hopps of Fun Beer and Wine Festival in Mackinaw City helps stretch out summer just a little bit longer, offering attendees a last chance to sample a long list of unique microbrews and wines from right here in the Great Lakes State.

Mackinaw Crossings is the center of all this vibrant activity, as Hopps of Fun has finally settled into a location befitting its popularity. Sarah Grant, property manager at the Crossings, explained. “The festival has actually been going on since 1996,” she said. “It was at the Crossings, then was moved across to Conkling Heritage Park, and last year it was back here — problem being we had it inside the Crossings, which ended up being way too small and chaotic for that many people.” The event now has been moved out into the parking lot, which Grant said is a much more suitable space for the nearly 6,000 people expected to attend. “This will give people a lot more room to have fun!” she said.

If you keep a beer or wine journal, this tasting event is a good opportunity to fill up several pages; over 100 microbrews and wines from Michigan’s own beer brewers and wine regions will be offered. Grant claimed the festival is aiming to host the largest variety of tastings in northern Michigan. The price is right, too: $5 gets you in to the fest and includes a complimentary Hopps of Fun beer or wine glass. “Then, you buy tokens for $1 each. One token buys you a taste or, if you find something you really like, you can buy a full bottle of beer or full glass of wine for four tokens,” Grant explained.

Entertainment both nights of the event will feature plenty of music from a rotating roster of live bands, including the rockin’ country outfit Billy Jewell and His Bad Habits; “rock with a twist” from local favorites Heavens to Betsy; the vintage sounds of The Brewhouse Band; and classic rock from The Whitmore. To further complement the beverages, the festival has planned a giant pig roast “with all the fixings,” as Grant described it. “It will be $12 for a full plate of freshly cooked pork, potato salad, baked beans, and coleslaw,” she said.

And don’t miss the Crossings’ laser-light show, a regular treat during the summer and fall months and a fun flourish to this evening of beverage exploration. You can also take a break for a stroll through downtown Mackinaw City and still return to Hopps of Fun for more beverage tastings with your paid admission. “Hopps of Fun gives everyone an opportunity to try such an amazing variety of beer and wines,” Grant said. “It really is quite an experience to take part in — and it also just serves as a great end-of-the-summer party!”

The 20th Annual Hopps of Fun Beer and Wine Festival will take place Sept. 9–10 at Mackinaw Crossings in downtown Mackinaw City.

Festival hours are 5pm–11pm Friday, and 1pm–11pm Saturday. For more information, call 231-436-5350.

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